Flexible printed circuit board for dual mode antennas, dual mode antenna and user device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are a flexible printed circuit board for dual mode antennas, a dual mode antenna and a user device using the same. The flexible printed circuit board for dual mode antennas includes a first loop-shaped coil formed at one main surface of an insulative sheet and a second loop-shaped coil formed inside the loop of the first coil.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board fordual mode antennas to perform near field communication (NFC) andwireless power transmission, a dual mode antenna and a user device usingthe same.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, an energy-information technology (IT) fusion technology hasincreasingly attracted considerable attention. The energy-IT fusiontechnology is a technology of fusing a fast developing IT technologyinto the conventional energy technology. An example of the energy-ITfusion technology is a wireless power transfer (WPT) technology.Wireless power transfer is a technology of supplying power to electricinstruments in a wireless fashion instead of using the conventionalpower cable. The wireless power transfer technology has an advantage inthat an electric home appliance can be charged in a wireless fashionwithout connection between the electric instrument and an electricoutlet or a charging device via a power cable. For this reason, researchhas been actively conducted on the wireless power transfer technology.

Examples of the wireless power transfer technology which have beencommercialized or are under research include a magnetic induction typewireless power transfer technology and a magnetic resonance typewireless power transfer technology. The magnetic induction type wirelesspower transfer technology uses a magnetic induction phenomenon betweentwo coils. In the magnetic induction type wireless power transfertechnology, it is possible to transmit power of several W within adistance of several mm to several cm. The magnetic induction typewireless power transfer technology has been applied to a traffic card, awireless shaver, an electric tooth brush, etc.

On the other hand, the magnetic resonance type wireless power transfertechnology is a technology of transferring power based on resonantcoupling at a resonant frequency. In the magnetic resonance typewireless power transfer technology, it is possible to transmit power ofseveral tens of W within a distance of several m. Transfer efficiency isaffected by a quality factor (Q) value of a resonator.

Meanwhile, many mobile devices which have been recently placed on themarket include a near field communication (NFC) module for NFCcommunication. NFC is a communication technology of transmitting andreceiving data within a distance of approximately 10 cm using a bandfrequency of 13.56 MHz. The NFC module is mounted in a mobile device.The NFC module is used in various applications, such as userauthentication, identification cards, credit cards, mobile tickets, andmobile coupons.

Meanwhile, an NFC antenna (coil) is necessary for NFC communication. TheNFC antenna includes an NFC reader antenna and an NFC tag antenna, whichare separately provided. In a case in which the NFC antenna is realizedin a real mobile device, an integration type dual antenna structure, inwhich the NFC reader antenna and the NFC tag antenna are integrated tohave a stacked structure, is used.

Also, an additional wireless power transmission antenna (coil) isnecessary for wireless power transmission. In order to simultaneouslysupport an NFC communication function and a wireless power transmissionfunction in a mobile device, therefore, it is necessary to mountantennas together corresponding to the respective functions in themobile device. In this case, an antenna installation space is limiteddepending upon the size of the mobile device. That is, the antennainstallation space is very small and narrow. Also, the size andthickness of the mobile device are increased due to such two kinds ofantennas.

For this reason, there is a high necessity for a technology that iscapable of minimizing a necessary antenna installation space althoughboth the NFC antenna and the wireless power transmission antenna aremounted in the mobile device. In connection with this matter, U.S.Patent Application Publication No. US 2010-0194334 discloses aninvention entitled “RETROFITTING WIRELESS POWER AND NEAR FIELDCOMMUNICATION IN ELECTRONIC DEVICES”. The invention disclosed in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. US 2010-0194334 relates to a powercircuit for wireless power transmission and near field communication. Anelectronic device having the power circuit includes a back housinghaving a wireless power receiving antenna and a conversion circuit. U.S.Patent Application Publication No. US 2010-0194334 discloses that thewireless power receiving antenna may be used to perform a wireless powertransmission function and an NFC communication function. However,detailed constructions to simultaneously perform the wireless powertransmission function and the NFC communication function are notdisclosed.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the aboveproblems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide aflexible printed circuit board for dual mode antennas to simultaneouslysupport near field communication (NFC) and wireless power transmission,a dual mode antenna and a user device having the same mounted therein.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a flexibleprinted circuit board for dual mode antennas in which an NFC antenna anda wireless power transmission antenna are disposed in a non-overlappingfashion to restrain lowering of communication performance due to mutualinterference therebetween, a dual mode antenna and a user device havingthe same mounted therein.

It should be noted that objects of the present invention are not limitedto the objects of the present invention as mentioned above, and otherunmentioned objects of the present invention will be clearly understoodfrom the following description.

Solution to Problem

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above andother objects can be accomplished by the provision of a flexible printedcircuit board for dual mode antennas comprising a first loop-shaped coilformed at one main surface of an insulative sheet and a secondloop-shaped coil formed inside the loop of the first coil.

The second coil may be formed at opposite main surfaces of theinsulative sheet to have a stacked structure.

The first coil and the second coil may be a near field communication(NFC) loop antenna and a wireless power transmission coil, respectively.

The flexible printed circuit board may further comprising a pair offirst connection terminals connected to both ends of the first coil tocontact a pair of first external circuit terminals in an electricallyconnected state and a pair of second connection terminals connected toboth ends of the second coil to contact a pair of second externalcircuit terminals in an electrically connected state.

The first connection terminals and the second connection terminals maybe connected to an external NFC module and an external wireless powertransmission module, respectively.

One of the first connection terminals may be connected to one end of thefirst coil through a stitching via, and the stitching via may comprise afirst via extending through the insulative sheet, the first via havingone end connected to one of the first connection terminals, a second viaextending through the insulative sheet, the second via having one endconnected to one end of the first coil and a connection pattern formedat the other main surface of the insulative sheet, the connectionpattern having one end connected to the other end of the first via andthe other end connected to the other end of the second via.

One of the first connection terminals may be connected to one end of thefirst coil through a jumper line.

The jumper line may be formed between a ferrite sheet formed to contactone main surface of the insulative sheet and the first coil.

The flexible printed circuit board may further comprising a ferritesheet formed to contact one main surface of the insulative sheet.

The ferrite sheet may comprise a first ferrite sheet formed at aposition opposite to the first coil of the insulative sheet in a contactfashion and a second ferrite sheet formed at a position opposite to thesecond coil of the insulative sheet in a contact fashion.

The flexible printed circuit board may further comprising a stepadjustment slit formed between the first coil and the second coil toadjust a step between the first ferrite sheet and the second ferritesheet.

The flexible printed circuit board may further comprising a pair ofextension patterns having one ends connected to the second connectionterminals and the other ends connected to the second coil.

The second coil may comprise a first loop having one end connected toone of the extension patterns, the first loop being formed at the othermain surface of the insulative sheet so that the first loop is turned aplurality of times in a first direction and a second loop having one endconnected to the other of the extension patterns, the second loop beingformed at one main surface of the insulative sheet so that the secondloop is turned a plurality of times in a direction to reinforce currentflowing in the first loop, the first loop and the second loop beingformed to have a stacked structure.

The second coil may further comprises a third via extending through theinsulative sheet to connect the other end of the first loop and theother end of the second loop.

The second coil may further comprises a fourth via extending through theinsulative sheet to connect one end of the second loop and the other ofthe extension patterns.

And in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above andother objects can be accomplished by the provision of a dual modeantenna comprising a loop-shaped NFC coil formed at one main surface ofa printed circuit board, a loop-shaped wireless power transmission coilformed on the printed circuit board, a pair of NFC connection terminalsconnected to both ends of the NFC coil and electrically connected to anNFC module and a pair of W/C connection terminals connected to both endsof the wireless power transmission coil and electrically connected to awireless power transmission module, wherein the wireless powertransmission coil is formed at opposite main surfaces of the printedcircuit board to have a stacked structure.

The wireless power transmission coil may be formed inside the loop ofthe NFC coil.

The printed circuit board may be a flexible printed circuit board(FPCB).

One of the NFC connection terminals may be connected to one end of theNFC coil through a stitching via, and the stitching via may comprise afirst via extending through the printed circuit board, the first viahaving one end connected to one of the NFC connection terminals, asecond via extending through the printed circuit board, the second viahaving one end connected to one end of the NFC coil and a connectionpattern formed at the other main surface of the printed circuit board,the connection pattern having one end connected to the other end of thefirst via and the other end connected to the other end of the secondvia.

One of the NFC connection terminals may be connected to one end of theNFC coil through a jumper line.

The jumper line may be formed between a ferrite sheet formed to contactone main surface of the printed circuit board and the NFC coil.

The dual mode antenna may further comprising a ferrite sheet formed tocontact one main surface of the printed circuit board.

The ferrite sheet may comprise an NFC coil side ferrite sheet formed ata position opposite to the NFC coil of the printed circuit board in acontact fashion and a wireless power transmission coil side ferritesheet formed at a position opposite to the wireless power transmissioncoil of the printed circuit board in a contact fashion.

The dual mode antenna may further comprising a step adjustment slitformed between the NFC coil and the wireless power transmission coil toadjust a step between the NFC coil side ferrite sheet and the wirelesspower transmission coil side ferrite sheet.

The dual mode antenna may further comprising a pair of extensionpatterns having one ends connected to the W/C connection terminals andthe other ends connected to the wireless power transmission coil.

The wireless power transmission coil may comprise an upper loop havingone end connected to one of the extension patterns, the upper loop beingformed at the other main surface of the printed circuit board so thatthe upper loop is turned a plurality of times in a first direction and alower loop having one end connected to the other of the extensionpatterns, the lower loop being formed at one main surface of the printedcircuit board so that the lower loop is turned a plurality of times in adirection to reinforce current flowing in the upper loop, the upper loopand the lower loop being formed to have a stacked structure.

The wireless power transmission coil may further comprises a third viaextending through the printed circuit board to connect the other end ofthe upper loop and the other end of the lower loop.

The wireless power transmission coil may further comprises a fourth viaextending through the printed circuit board to connect one end of thelower loop and the other of the extension patterns.

And in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above andother objects can be accomplished by the provision of a user device withan NFC communication function and a wireless power transmission functioncomprising a dual mode antenna comprising an NFC coil and a wirelesspower transmission coil, an NFC module to perform NFC communicationusing the NFC coil and a wireless power transmission module towirelessly transmit power using the wireless power transmission coil,wherein the NFC coil of the dual mode antenna is formed at one mainsurface of an insulative sheet, the wireless power transmission coil ofthe dual mode antenna is formed inside the NFC coil, and the wirelesspower transmission coil is formed at opposite main surfaces of theinsulative sheet to have a stacked structure.

The dual mode antenna may further comprises a pair of NFC connectionterminals connected to both ends of the NFC coil and electricallyconnected to the NFC module and a pair of W/C connection terminalsconnected to both ends of the wireless power transmission coil andelectrically connected to the wireless power transmission module.

One of the NFC connection terminals may be connected to one end of theNFC coil through a stitching via, and the stitching via may comprise afirst via extending through the insulative sheet, the first via havingone end connected to one of the NFC connection terminals, a second viaextending through the insulative sheet, the second via having one endconnected to one end of the NFC coil and a connection pattern formed atthe other main surface of the insulative sheet, the connection patternhaving one end connected to the other end of the first via and the otherend connected to the other end of the second via.

One of the NFC connection terminals may be connected to one end of theNFC coil through a jumper line.

The jumper line may be formed between a ferrite sheet formed to contactone main surface of the insulative sheet and the NFC coil.

The user device may further comprising a pair of extension patternshaving one ends connected to the W/C connection terminals and the otherends connected to the wireless power transmission coil.

The wireless power transmission coil may comprise an upper loop havingone end connected to one of the extension patterns, the upper loop beingformed at the other main surface of the insulative sheet so that theupper loop is turned a plurality of times in a first direction and alower loop having one end connected to the other of the extensionpatterns, the lower loop being formed at one main surface of theinsulative sheet so that the lower loop is turned a plurality of timesin a direction to reinforce current flowing in the upper loop, the upperloop and the lower loop being formed to have a stacked structure.

The wireless power transmission coil may further comprises a third viaextending through the insulative sheet to connect the other end of theupper loop and the other end of the lower loop.

The wireless power transmission coil may further comprises a fourth viaextending through the insulative sheet to connect one end of the lowerloop and the other of the extension patterns.

And in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above andother objects can be accomplished by the provision of a flexible printedcircuit board for dual mode antennas comprising a loop-shaped NFC coilformed at one main surface of an insulative sheet, a loop-shapedwireless power transmission coil formed on the insulative sheet, a pairof NFC connection terminals connected to both ends of the NFC coil andelectrically connected to an external NFC module, a pair of W/Cconnection terminals connected to both ends of the wireless powertransmission coil and electrically connected to an external wirelesspower transmission module, an NFC connection terminal connecting linehaving one end connected to one end of the NFC coil and the other endconnected to one of the NFC connection terminals and a pair of W/Cconnection terminal connecting lines having one ends connected to theW/C connection terminals and the other ends connected to the wirelesspower transmission coil.

The NFC connection terminal connecting line may comprise a jumper lineor a stitching via.

The stitching via may comprise a first via extending through theinsulative sheet, the first via having one end connected to one of theNFC connection terminals, a second via extending through the insulativesheet, the second via having one end connected to one end of the NFCcoil and a connection pattern formed at the other main surface of theinsulative sheet, the connection pattern having one end connected to theother end of the first via and the other end connected to the other endof the second via.

The jumper line may be formed between a ferrite sheet formed to contactone main surface of the insulative sheet and the NFC coil.

The wireless power transmission coil may be formed inside the loop ofthe NFC coil.

The wireless power transmission coil may be formed at opposite mainsurfaces of the insulative sheet to have a stacked structure.

The wireless power transmission coil may comprise a first loop havingone end connected to one of the W/C connection terminal connectinglines, the first loop being formed at one main surface of the insulativesheet so that the first loop is turned a plurality of times in a firstdirection and a second loop having one end connected to the other of theW/C connection terminal connecting lines, the second loop being formedat the other main surface of the insulative sheet so that the secondloop is turned a plurality of times in a direction to reinforce currentflowing in the first loop, the first loop and the second loop beingformed to have a stacked structure.

And in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above andother objects can be accomplished by the provision of a dual modeantenna comprising a loop-shaped NFC coil formed on a first insulativesheet, a wireless power transmission coil formed inside the loop of theNFC coil, an extension line to connect the wireless power transmissioncoil to an external W/C module, a pair of NFC connection terminalsconnected to both ends of the NFC coil and electrically connected to anexternal NFC module and a pair of W/C connection terminals connected toboth ends of the wireless power transmission coil and electricallyconnected to an external wireless power transmission module.

The wireless power transmission coil may be formed of a real coil.

The dual mode antenna may further comprising an extension line slotformed inside the loop of the NFC coil so that the extension line slotextends through the first insulative sheet, wherein the extension lineis inserted through the extension line slot so that the extension lineis coupled to the wireless power transmission coil inside the loop ofthe NFC coil.

The extension line and the W/C connection terminals may be formed on asecond insulative sheet.

The wireless power transmission coil may be formed at opposite mainsurfaces of a third insulative sheet to have a stacked structure.

The dual mode antenna may further comprising a jumper line or astitching via to connect one of the NFC connection terminals to the NFCcoil.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an antennainstallation space is efficiently disposed in a user device, andtherefore, it is possible to simultaneously support near fieldcommunication (NFC) and wireless power transmission.

Also, the NFC antenna and the wireless power transmission antenna aredisposed in the user device so that the NFC antenna and the wirelesspower transmission antenna do not overlap, and therefore, it is possibleto restrain lowering of communication performance due to mutualinterference therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the overall outline of a wireless powertransmission system;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the detailed construction of a user deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a main body of the user device and an explodedview of a rear cover of the user device illustrating a case in which adual mode antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention ismounted to the rear cover of the user device;

FIG. 4 is a front view and a rear view of the dual mode antennaaccording to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view and a rear view of a dual mode antenna accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the structure of the dual modeantenna according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view and a rear view of a dual mode antenna accordingto a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view and a rear view showing the detailed constructionof a near field communication (NFC) antenna unit constituting the dualmode antenna of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view and a rear view showing the detailed constructionof an extension line unit constituting the dual mode antenna of FIG. 7;and

FIG. 10 is a front view and a rear view showing the detailedconstruction of a wireless power transmission coil constituting the dualmode antenna of FIG. 7

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention may be modified in various ways and providevarious embodiments. The present invention will be described belowthrough a detailed description of specific embodiments illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. The detailed description is not intended tolimit the present invention and it should be understood that the presentinvention includes all changes, equivalents, or substitutions within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

In the following description of the present disclosure, a detaileddescription of known related technologies will be omitted when it mayobscure the subject matter of the present disclosure. Numbers or ordinalnumbers (for example, first and second) that are used in the descriptionof this specification are merely reference symbols for discriminatingbetween components.

When it is stated that one component is “connected” or “coupled” toanother component, it is to be understood that the two components maynot only be directly “connected” or “coupled” but may also be indirectly“connected” or “coupled” via another component unless specificallystated otherwise.

A user device is an electronic instrument that receives external power.The user device supports a near field communication (NFC), which is oneof the means for communication with other user devices. For example, theuser device may be a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), or anavigator. Also, the user device may include other electronicequipments, such as a television (TV), an electronic picture frame, anda refrigerator, that perform communication with external devices.

Now, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the overall outline of a wireless powertransmission system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless power transmission system includes awireless power transmission device (or a wireless power transmitter) 10to transmit power in a wireless fashion and a wireless power receivingdevice (or a wireless power receiver) 20 to transmit power in thewireless fashion.

Power is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless power transmissiondevice 10 to the wireless power receiving device 20 in a magneticinduction mode.

The wireless power transmission device 10 outputs an electromagneticfield to the outside using a power transmission antenna 11 for powertransmission. To this, the wireless power transmission device 10receives alternating current (AC) power from the outside.

The wireless power transmission device 10 rectifies AC power suppliedfrom an external input power supply into direct current (DC) power usingan AC/DC converter (not shown), converts high-frequency AC power througha DC/AC conversion circuit (not shown) for wireless power transmission,and transmits the high-frequency AC power to the wireless powerreceiving device 20 through the power transmission antenna 11.

The wireless power receiving device 20 may receive a power signaltransmitted from the wireless power transmission device 10 using a powerreceiving antenna 21. Specifically, a magnetic field is generated aroundthe power transmission antenna 11 due to current flowing in the powertransmission antenna 11 of the wireless power transmission device 10,and voltage is induced in the power receiving antenna 21 of the wirelesspower receiving device 20 disposed adjacent to the magnetic field due toelectromagnetic induction. As a result, power is transmitted from thewireless power transmission device 10 to the wireless power receivingdevice 20.

The wireless power receiving device 20 may charge a load device 30 usingthe received power. Alternatively, the received power may be used asdriving power necessary to drive the wireless power receiving device 20.

Hereinafter, the detailed construction of a user device with a dual modeantenna according to an embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed in detail.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the detailed construction of auser device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the user device includes a near field communication(NFC) module 200 to perform an NFC communication function and a wirelesspower transmission module 300 to perform a wireless power transmissionfunction. Also, the user device further includes a dual mode antenna 100including an NFC coil 110 electrically connected to the NFC module 200and a wireless power transmission coil 120 electrically connected to thewireless power transmission module 300.

The dual mode antenna 100 may be formed in a dual loop shape in whichthe NFC coil 110 and the wireless power transmission coil 120 are spacedapart from each other by a predetermined distance. The dual mode antenna100 may be formed to have a structure in which patterns corresponding tothe NFC coil 110 and the wireless power transmission coil 120 are formedon an insulative sheet. For example, the dual mode antenna 100 may berealized by a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The NFC coil 110and the wireless power transmission coil 120 are electrically isolatedfrom each other. Also, in the dual loop shape constituted by the NFCcoil 110 and the wireless power transmission coil 120, the distancebetween the NFC coil 110 and the wireless power transmission coil 120may be adjusted to adjust impedance matching between the coils.

The NFC module 200 controls the NFC coil 110 to perform NFCcommunication on the user device. Specifically, the NFC module 200includes an NFC impedance matching unit 210, an NFC transceiver 220, andan NFC control unit 230.

When an NFC communication function is requested by a user or theoperation of an application in the user device, a controller 400 of theuser device controls the NFC module 200 to perform the NFC communicationfunction.

The NFC impedance matching unit 210 may be installed between the NFCcoil 110 and the NFC transceiver 220 to match impedance between the NFCcoil 110 and the NFC transceiver 220.

The NFC transceiver 220 may include a base band processing unit, acommunication protocol processing circuit, a register file, and auniversal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) serial interface. Theabove elements of the NFC transceiver 220 are well known in the art towhich the present invention pertains, and therefore, a descriptionthereof will be omitted.

The NFC control unit 230 is connected to the NFC transceiver 220 tocontrol overall operation of the NFC transceiver 220. Also, the NFCcontrol unit 230 may perform communication with an external host throughan additional communication interface.

The wireless power transmission module 300 may include a wireless powertransmission (W/C) impedance matching unit 310, a rectification unit320, and a charging unit 330.

The W/C impedance matching unit 310 may be disposed between the wirelesspower transmission coil 120 and the rectification unit 320 to matchimpedance between the wireless power transmission coil 120 and therectification unit 320.

The rectification unit 320 rectifies a power signal input through thewireless power transmission coil 120 into a DC power through half waverectification. A high-frequency noise component may be removed from theDC power rectified by the rectification unit 320 by a filtering unit(not shown). Subsequently, the DC power may be converted into voltagenecessary to drive devices.

The charging unit 330 charges an external load device or an internalbattery using the power converted into necessary voltage.

Hereinafter, the detailed construction of a dual mode antenna 100according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a main body of the user device and an explodedview of a rear cover of the user device illustrating a case in which adual mode antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention ismounted to the rear cover of the user device.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dual mode antenna 100 may be mounted to abattery cover 700 of the user device. The dual mode antenna 100 may beattached to the inside of the battery cover 700 facing a main body 600of the user device or integrally coupled to the inside of the batterycover 700. In a case in which the dual mode antenna 100 is integrallycoupled to the inside of the battery cover 700, openings may be formedin the battery cover 700 so that NFC coil connection terminals 130 andW/C coil connection terminals 140 of the dual mode antenna 100 areexposed to the outside through the openings of the battery cover 700. Inthis embodiment, two NFC coil connection terminals 130 may form a pair.In the same manner, two W/C coil connection terminals 140 may form apair.

At the rear of the main body of the user device may be formed NFC moduleconnection terminals 620 and W/C module connection terminals 610corresponding to the NFC coil connection terminals 130 and the W/C coilconnection terminals 140 of the dual mode antenna 100, respectively.When the battery cover 700 is coupled to the main body 600 of the userdevice, therefore, the NFC coil connection terminals 130 and the W/Ccoil connection terminals 140 may contact the NFC module connectionterminals 620 and the W/C module connection terminals 610 so that theNFC coil connection terminals 130 and the W/C coil connection terminals140 are electrically connected to the NFC module connection terminals620 and the W/C module connection terminals 610. The NFC moduleconnection terminals 620 or the W/C module connection terminals 610 maybe formed in a C-clip shape so that connection between the NFC moduleconnection terminals 620 or the W/C module connection terminals 610 andthe NFC coil connection terminals 130 or the W/C coil connectionterminals 140 is maintained by elasticity of the C-clip shape.

Hereinafter, the shape of the dual mode antenna 100 according to theembodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a front view and a rear view of the dual mode antenna 100according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the dual mode antenna 100 is manufactured byforming an NFC pattern on an insulative sheet 105, such as a FPCB. Apair of NFC coil connection terminals 130 and a pair of W/C coilconnection terminals 140 may be formed at the front of the insulativesheet 105.

The NFC coil connection terminals 130 may be connected to the NFC coil110 to transmit a signal input through the NFC module connectionterminals 620 to the outside or to transmit an NFC signal received fromthe outside to the NFC module 200.

The NFC coil 110 may be formed at the front of the insulative sheet 105.The NFC coil 110 is formed along the edge of the insulative sheet 105 aswidely as possible to maximize the diameter of the loop and to reducethe turn number of windings constituting the loop and capacitancebetween the windings.

One end of the NFC coil 110 is connected to one 132 of the NFC coilconnection terminals. The pattern of the NFC coil 110 is turned insideto form a loop. In the loop, the other end of the NFC coil 110 isconnected to the other 134 of the NFC coil connection terminals outsidethe loop through a stitching via 150.

The stitching via 150 may include two vias 152 and 154 extending throughthe insulative sheet 105 and a connection pattern 156 connected betweenthe two vias 152 and 154 to form a signal connection path. Theconnection pattern 156 may be formed at the rear of the insulative sheet105.

The W/C coil connection terminals 140 may be connected to the wirelesspower transmission coil 120 to transmit or receive a power signal inputthrough the W/C module connection terminals 610.

The wireless power transmission coil 120 may be formed inside the loopformed by the NFC coil 110. In this case, the diameter of the wirelesspower transmission coil 120 is less than that of the NFC coil 110. Inorder to secure a necessary number of windings, therefore, the wirelesspower transmission coil 120 may be formed at the front and rear of theinsulative sheet 105 to have a stacked structure.

The wireless power transmission coil 122 formed at the front of theinsulative sheet 105 is formed in a loop shape convergent inside. Thewireless power transmission coil 122 is connected to the wireless powertransmission coil 124 formed at the rear of the insulative sheet 105through a via hole 162 of the insulative sheet 105.

The wireless power transmission coil 122 formed at the front of theinsulative sheet 105 and the wireless power transmission coil 124 formedat the rear of the insulative sheet 105 are turned in the same directionto form loops when viewed at the front of the insulative sheet 105.Consequently, current flowing in the wireless power transmission coil120 is boosted.

The W/C coil connection terminals 142 and 144 are respectively connectedto the wireless power transmission coil 122 and 124 through a pair ofextension patterns 170. The shape of the extension patterns 170 may bechanged based on the disposition of the W/C coil connection terminals140. Consequently, flexibility in designing the internal circuits of theuser device is secured.

Also, the extension patterns 170 are formed at the rear of theinsulative sheet 105. The W/C coil connection terminals 142 and 144 maybe connected to one side of the extension patterns 170 formed at therear of the insulative sheet 105 through a pair of via holes 143 and 145of the insulative sheet 105.

The other side of the extension patterns 170 is connected to thewireless power transmission coil 120. One of the extension patterns 170is connected to one end of the wireless power transmission coil 122formed at the front of the insulative sheet 105 through the via hole162. The other of the extension patterns 170 is connected to the otherend of the wireless power transmission coil 124 formed at the rear ofthe insulative sheet 105.

Since the wireless power transmission coil 120 is connected to the W/Ccoil connection terminals 140 through the via holes 162, 164, 143, and145 and the extension patterns 170 formed at the rear of the insulativesheet 105 as described above, overlap between the wireless powertransmission coil 120 and the NFC coil 110 is prevented, therebypreventing lowering of performance due to mutual interferencetherebetween.

Meanwhile, a step adjustment slit may be formed between the NFC coil 110and the wireless power transmission coil 120. Referring to FIG. 6, a W/Ccoil side ferrite sheet 194 and an NFC coil side ferrite sheet 192 maybe sequentially attached to the front of the insulative sheet 105. Forreference, the ferrite sheets prevent magnetic flux from being blockeddue to eddy current.

In this case, the size of the inside W/C coil side ferrite sheet 194 isless than that of the outside NFC coil side ferrite sheet 192.Consequently, the thickness of a portion at which the W/C coil sideferrite sheet 194 and the NFC coil side ferrite sheet 192 overlap isgreater than that of a portion at which only the NFC coil side ferritesheet 192 is disposed.

For this reason, a step adjustment slit 198 to adjust a step caused dueto the thickness difference between the ferrite sheets may be formedbetween the NFC coil 110 and the wireless power transmission coil 120,thereby preventing damage to the wireless power transmission coil 120 orthe extension patterns 170 due to the thickness difference between theferrite sheets.

FIG. 5 is a front view and a rear view of a dual mode antenna accordingto another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the dual mode antenna 100 according to thisembodiment of the present invention may be configured such that an NFCcoil 110 is formed on an insulative sheet 105, and a wireless powertransmission coil 120 is formed inside a loop formed by the NFC coil 110in the same manner as in the dual mode antenna 100 of FIG. 4. The NFCcoil 110 and the wireless power transmission coil 120 are connected toNFC coil connection terminals 130 and W/C coil connection terminals 140,respectively.

One end of the NFC coil 110 may be connected to one 132 of the NFC coilconnection terminals. A pattern of the NFC coil 110 may be turned insideto form a loop. In the loop, the other end of the NFC coil 110 may beconnected to the other 134 of the NFC coil connection terminals outsidethe loop through a jumper line 190.

In this case, the jumper line 190 is formed on the NFC coil 110 formedat the front of the insulative sheet 105, and therefore, the rear of theinsulative sheet 105 at which an NFC signal is input or output is notblocked by the jumper line 190 as shown in FIG. 6, thereby restraininginterference with the NFC coil 110.

Hereinafter, the detailed construction of a dual mode antenna accordingto a further embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail.

FIG. 7 is a front view and a rear view showing the detailed constructionof a dual mode antenna 1000 according to a further embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the dual mode antenna 1000 includes an NFC antennaunit 1100 having an NFC coil, a wireless power transmission coil 1300,and an extension line unit 1200 to connect the wireless powertransmission coil 1300 to an external wireless power transmissionmodule. The NFC antenna unit 1100, the wireless power transmission coil1300, and the extension line unit 1200 may be formed on differentinsulative sheets.

The wireless power transmission coil 1300 may be disposed inside a loopformed by an NFC coil 1120 of the NFC antenna unit 1100. In this case,the wireless power transmission coil 1300 located inside the loop may beconnected to the outside of the NFC coil 1120 through the extension lineunit 1200.

Meanwhile, a ferrite sheet may be bonded to the dual mode antenna 1000.The ferrite sheet may include an NFC coil side ferrite sheet bonded at aposition opposite to the NFC antenna unit 1100 and a wireless powertransmission coil side ferrite sheet bonded at a position opposite tothe wireless power transmission coil 1300.

The detailed construction of the NFC antenna unit 1100 will hereinafterbe described in detail with reference to FIG. 8. The NFC antenna unit1100 includes a first insulative sheet 1110, a pair of NFC connectionterminals 1130 formed at the front of the first insulative sheet 1110and connected to an external NFC module, and an NFC coil 1120 formed atthe front of the first insulative sheet 1110 in a loop shape andconnected to the NFC connection terminals 1130.

One end of the NFC coil 1120 may be connected to a corresponding one ofthe NFC connection terminals 1130 through an NFC connection terminalconnecting line 1140. In this case, the NFC connection terminalconnecting line 1140 may be realized by a jumper line or a stitching viaextending through the first insulative sheet 1110.

Also, an extension line slot 1150 may be formed in the NFC antenna unit1100 inside the loop of the NFC coil 1120. The extension line unit 1200may be connected to the wireless power transmission coil 1300 inside theloop through the extension line slot 1150.

The extension line unit 1200 is disposed between the front of the NFCantenna unit 1100 and the ferrite sheet, and therefore, interferencewith the NFC coil 1120 due to the extension line is reduced.

The detailed construction of the extension line unit 1200 willhereinafter be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9. Theextension line unit 1200 includes a second insulative sheet 1210different from the first insulative sheet 1110, a pair of W/C connectionterminals 1220 formed at the front of the second insulative sheet 1210and connected to the wireless power transmission module, a pair of W/Cextension lines 1230 formed at the rear of the second insulative sheet1210, and a pair of joining units 1260 to connect the W/C extensionlines 1230 to the wireless power transmission coil 1300.

The W/C extension lines 1230 may be connected to the W/C connectionterminals 1220 through a pair of via holes 1240. Also, the W/C extensionlines 1230 may be connected to the joining units 1260 through anotherpair of via holes 1250.

As previously described, the wireless power transmission coil 1300 maybe formed on a third insulative sheet different from the first andsecond insulative sheets. In this case, the wireless power transmissioncoil 1300 may be formed at opposite main surfaces of the thirdinsulative sheet in an overlapping fashion.

Also, the wireless power transmission coil 1300 may be formed of a realcoil made of a material exhibiting high conductivity. In this case, bothends 1310 and 1320 of the real coil may be coupled to the joining units1262 and 1264 by soldering.

In the user device with the above-stated construction according to theembodiment of the present invention, overlap between the NFC antenna andthe wireless power transmission antenna is prevented although the NFCantenna and the wireless power transmission antenna are provided in alimited space, and therefore, it is possible to prevent lowering inperformance of the user device due to mutual interference therebetween.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for carryingout the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As is apparent from the above description, an antenna installation spaceis efficiently disposed in a user device, and therefore, it is possibleto simultaneously support near field communication (NFC) and wirelesspower transmission. Also, the NFC antenna and the wireless powertransmission antenna are disposed in the user device so that the NFCantenna and the wireless power transmission antenna do not overlap, andtherefore, it is possible to restrain lowering of communicationperformance due to mutual interference therebetween. Consequently, thepresent invention can be widely used in industries related to a flexibleprinted circuit board for dual mode antennas, a dual mode antenna and auser device using the same.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims.

1-50. (canceled)
 51. A dual mode antenna comprising: an insulativesheet; a loop-shaped NFC coil formed on the insulative sheet; and awireless power transmission coil formed inside the loop of the NFC coiland electrically isolated from the NFC coil, the wireless powertransmission coil formed on opposite surfaces of the insulative sheetand electrically connected from each other through a via hole of theinsulative sheet; wherein the wireless power transmission coil formed onopposite surfaces of the insulative sheet form loops to reinforcecurrent flowing in the wireless power transmission coil when viewed atthe front of the insulative sheet.
 52. The dual mode antenna accordingto claim 51, wherein the wireless power transmission coil formed onopposite surfaces of the insulative sheet are turned in the samedirection and form loops when viewed at the front of the insulativesheet.
 53. The dual mode antenna according to claim 52, furthercomprising: a pair of NFC coil connection terminals electricallyconnected to both ends of the NFC coil, respectively; and a pair ofwireless power transmission (W/C) coil connection terminals electricallyconnected to both ends of the wireless power transmission coil,respectively.
 54. The dual mode antenna according to claim 53, furthercomprising a pair of extension patterns electrically connecting the pairof W/C coil connection terminals and both ends of the wireless powertransmission coil, wherein one of the pair of NFC coil connectionterminals is electrically connected to one end of the NFC coil through astitching via.
 55. The dual mode antenna according to claim 53, furthercomprising a pair of extension patterns electrically connecting the pairof W/C coil connection terminals and both ends of the wireless powertransmission coil, wherein one of the pair of NFC coil connectionterminals is electrically connected to one end of the NFC coil through ajumper line.
 56. The dual mode antenna according to claim 54, whereinthe pair of extension patterns are disposed to prevent overlap with theNFC coil.
 57. The dual mode antenna according to claim 56, wherein thepair of extension patterns and the NFC coil are formed on differentsurfaces of the insulative sheet from each other.
 58. The dual modeantenna according to claim 57, wherein the stitching via comprises: twovias extending through the insulative sheet; and a connection patternelectrically connecting the two vias.
 59. The dual mode antennaaccording to claim 58, wherein the NFC coil connection terminals and theW/C coil connection terminals are electrically connected to an externalNFC module and an external wireless power transmission module,respectively.
 60. The dual mode antenna according to claim 59, furthercomprising a ferrite sheet formed to contact one surface of theinsulative sheet.
 61. The dual mode antenna according to claim 60,wherein the ferrite sheet comprises: a first ferrite sheet formed at aposition corresponding to the NFC coil of the insulative sheet in acontact fashion; and a second ferrite sheet formed at a positioncorresponding to the wireless power transmission coil of the insulativesheet in a contact fashion.
 62. The dual mode antenna according to claim61, further comprising a step adjustment slit formed between the NFCcoil and the wireless power transmission coil to adjust a step betweenthe first ferrite sheet and the second ferrite sheet.
 63. The dual modeantenna according to claim 55, wherein the pair of extension patternsare disposed to prevent overlap with the NFC coil.
 64. The dual modeantenna according to claim 63, wherein the pair of extension patternsand the NFC coil are formed on different surfaces of the insulativesheet from each other.
 65. The dual mode antenna according to claim 64,wherein the stitching via comprises: two vias extending through theinsulative sheet; and a connection pattern electrically connecting thetwo vias.
 66. The dual mode antenna according to claim 65, wherein theNFC coil connection terminals and the W/C coil connection terminals areelectrically connected to an external NFC module and an externalwireless power transmission module, respectively.
 67. The dual modeantenna according to claim 66, further comprising a ferrite sheet formedto contact one surface of the insulative sheet.
 68. The dual modeantenna according to claim 67, wherein the ferrite sheet comprises: afirst ferrite sheet formed at a position corresponding to the NFC coilof the insulative sheet in a contact fashion; and a second ferrite sheetformed at a position corresponding to the wireless power transmissioncoil of the insulative sheet in a contact fashion.
 69. The dual modeantenna according to claim 68, further comprising a step adjustment slitformed between the NFC coil and the wireless power transmission coil toadjust a step between the first ferrite sheet and the second ferritesheet.